Do you think it would be out of place for me to buy this gear since I don't race or do motocross or anything like that?

One thats rated for "zero" degrees. There are many brands be careful you don't over spend. Here is an article to read on how to choose a sleeping bag.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.